'The Vivienne was a fierce artist and embodiment of British drag'

The Vivienne has died, and it's hard to know how to react when such devastating news comes out of nowhere. How do you sum up a life so well lived, a life that impacted so many? 32 years is not enough, it will never be enough, but what James Lee Williams did with that time is nothing short of extraordinary.

A pillar of not just drag but queer art as a whole, the Welsh-born Scouse legend was that rare performer who created trends rather than merely following them. Because it's through their artistry that The Vivienne so perfectly bridged the gap between classic drag, that boisterous yet extremely relatable comedy, with modern fashion and sensibilities. In doing so, The Vivienne also bridged the gap between local and global drag — making them the perfect ambassador to celebrate queer British culture on an international scale.

After The Vivienne's publicist and friend Simon Jones broke the news on Sunday night, countless key figures in the drag community shared their condolences from the UK and beyond.

"It’s too soon for a curtain call but I know it’s a standing ovation," said Jinkx Monsoon. "Your joy, humour, and supportive sisterhood will stay with me forever," added fellow All Stars 7 alum Shea Couleé. "Like a handprint on my heart."

Read more

• The Vivienne: Former RuPaul's Drag Race UK winner dies at 32 (Sky News, 3-min read)

• Drag Race star The Vivienne hailed as ‘beacon to so many’ after death aged 32 (PA, 3-min read)

Drag Race UK co-contestant Cheryl thanked The Vivienne "for being the most incredible friend, mentor and sister" for the "incredible moments, milestones and memories". While co-host Michelle Visage says that she's 'the lucky one" for having known The Vivienne, "to have laughed together with you so many times."

The most touching tribute of all comes from Baga Chipz who raised a glass to their "beautiful, talented, mad, bestest friend in the whole wide world," asking "What am I gonna do now without you?... My beautiful boy. My James. Our Viv."

It's not easy to articulate our feelings when we've lost someone who we didn't personally know firsthand but there's comfort to be found in the words of those who did know The Vivienne and count her as a friend. Because even if we only loved The Vivienne from afar, she still meant a great deal to us regardless. Don't let anyone ever tell you it's strange to feel that loss in your own way.

Read more: How to grieve a celebrity’s death

Drag Race legend BenDeLaCreme only met The Vivienne last summer as part of a two-week tour but just from that short time, it was already obvious just how special James Lee Williams was. "She was a force," says BenDeLaCreme. "But what I didn’t know, couldn’t know without experiencing it, was the way that her kindness and generosity also just blasted out of her with inescapable fervour. No slow burn warm up. Just a radiant fiery power of joy that filled a room as she entered it."

It's comforting to see how every tribute goes out of its way to note The Vivienne's kindness. In many ways, that was their greatest asset — beyond their showmanship and professionalism and undeniable talent. That's how she touched people most but that's not all The Vivienne had to offer.

For those of us who didn't get to meet The Vivienne, there's also comfort to be found in their wit and artistry. As I type this, it's been less than 24 hours since the news of her death broke, and social media has already been inundated with viral clips of The Vivienne doing what she did best.

With just one word descriptors like "Boo!", "Powder", and of course, "Noelle," you know exactly which clips I'm talking about, which says more than a list of achievements ever could. But of course, there is plenty to celebrate as well when it comes to what The Vivienne achieved.

Even before the first season of Drag Race UK began, The Vivienne previously won a one-day event judged by RuPaul where she was already crowned the UK Ambassador for RuPaul's Drag Race (beating out season six finalist La Voix).

A few years later, The Vivienne shocked no one by going on to win the inaugural season of Drag Race UK in 2019 with what Visage described as "the best Snatch Game character in the history of the show". In the five years that followed, The Vivienne went on to compete in 2022's All Stars winner series and became the first drag queen to compete on ITV’s Dancing On Ice the following year.

Alongside professional partner Colin Grafton, The Vivienne reached the end of the competition, finishing in third place after skating to gay classics by Madonna and Cher. But their most remarkable moment came in week five when she chose not to perform in drag for the first time — opening up with a vulnerable performance to Beyoncé's Halo that reminded mainstream viewers of the humanity found behind the glitz and glam of professional drag.

The Vivienne also made an impact in musicals such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on tour and a recent West End revival of the Wizard of Oz musical, not to mention British classics on screen like ITV's Emmerdale and Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie. But it's this kindness, this humanity I want to come back to again, as seen when she took part in 2022's Celebrity Hunted in aid of Stand Up to Cancer or competed in Jag Race to support the HIV charity Sahir House.

During their time on Drag Race, The Vivienne bravely shone a spotlight on their past struggles with addiction, hoping to help others now going through what she once did. And when a man physically assaulted her in a homophobic attack during the summer of 2023, she spoke up saying it's done nothing "but make me use my voice louder and clearer!" Even while The Vivienne opened up about the “stress, anguish and ongoing trauma” the attack.

Because that's who The Vivienne was: a fierce artist. Yes, one who could roast up there with the best of them but she was also a figurehead and an inspiration in the universe of drag — the queer art scene — and the world as a whole.

When RuPaul inevitably steps down from Drag Race UK in the future, it's going to be hard because there's only one person who could have ever filled the shoes so effortlessly, and that person is of course The Vivienne.

The Vivienne was the embodiment of British drag in the same way that RuPaul represents US drag excellence — and she deserves to be remembered as such.

It's never easy saying goodbye to a queer icon like The Vivienne because we've already lost so much over the years as a community. But when these reminders do come, remember these words from The Vivienne herself:

"Surround yourself with fabulous people, real people, and amazing friends.... And you’ll always have somewhere to turn, and make sure that you can be that place for somebody else to turn."

Because you too can be a source of comfort for those who need it most, just like The Vivienne always has been and always will be for those of us who continue to carry The Vivienne in our hearts.

If you are grieving and need support, you can contact the Marie Curie Support Line Team here or call Cruse’s Helpline here.

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.

Read more about grief:

• What are the grief stages? Hairy Bikers' Si King talks struggle since Dave Myers' death (Yahoo Life UK, 6-min read)

• Liam Payne's death is especially difficult for Gen Z and millennials. It's OK to grieve. (USA Today, 2-min read)

• Larry Lamb shares most important memory as he talks about grief (WalesOnline, 2-min read)